Egypt-Saudi Summit: Egyptian Support for Saudi Security and Agreement on Ensuring Freedom of Navigation - Sarmad
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi discussed on Tuesday the developments in the Middle East region, particularly files related to the security and stability of the area, including the security and freedom of maritime navigation, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Saudi Crown Prince met the Egyptian President at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, where both sides held a bilateral meeting followed by an expanded round of talks attended by delegations from both countries.
SPA stated that the talks addressed strategic bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt and ways to develop them in various fields, in addition to a number of issues on the Arab and Islamic levels, and developments in the Middle East region.
The agency noted that the two sides specifically discussed files related to the security and stability of the region, including “the security and freedom of maritime navigation,” and the coordination of efforts between the two countries regarding these matters.
For his part, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Mohamed El-Shenawy said in a statement that the Saudi Crown Prince and the Egyptian President emphasized the necessity of ensuring the freedom and security of maritime navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, and the Red Sea. El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s support for the measures taken by the Kingdom to protect its security and stability, and to reach a comprehensive and sustainable political solution to the Yemeni crisis.
El-Shenawy added that the talks between the two sides covered regional developments and current challenges, with the Egyptian President reaffirming his country’s firm stance in supporting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all Arab countries in facing current regional circumstances.
He pointed out that the meeting witnessed agreement between El-Sisi and Prince Mohammed bin Salman that relations between Egypt and the Kingdom can only be optimal within the Arab framework, and that the security of Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries is part of Egypt’s national security. He emphasized Egypt’s “full reservation, rejection, and condemnation of any attacks or threats that undermine the sovereignty, stability, and territorial integrity of the Kingdom or the freedom of navigation in international sea lanes.”
He noted that “current circumstances require more solidarity and coordination between the two countries, that the interests and goals of both countries are one, and that there is absolute understanding between them, and that the Crown Prince’s visit confirms the full solidarity and brotherhood between Egypt, the Kingdom, and all Gulf countries.”
The two leaders agreed on the necessity of intensifying efforts to formulate and implement practical measures to develop bilateral cooperation and remove any obstacles that might hinder increasing trade and investment volumes, thereby elevating relations to a level commensurate with the historical ties and strategic proximity between Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to the statement.
They also emphasized the necessity of intensifying coordination and communication between the two countries. The Saudi Crown Prince expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s positions supporting regional stability and peace efforts, commending Egyptian solidarity and support for the Kingdom in facing recent geopolitical challenges.
On the Palestinian file, El-Sisi and Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed the alignment of both countries’ positions regarding the necessity of reaching a just and comprehensive settlement based on the two-state solution and international legitimacy resolutions.
They stressed the necessity of implementing the requirements of the second phase of the US President’s peace plan and Security Council Resolution 2803, as well as the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and halting Israeli violations in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Regarding Sudan, both sides affirmed the continuation of Egypt and Saudi Arabia’s support for the country’s security and stability, and the necessity of “national institutions’ exclusivity,” rejecting any equation between the Sudanese Armed Forces and “any militias or parallel illegal entities.”
They considered that any threat to the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan poses a risk to the collective security of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the countries of the region.
The Egyptian presidential spokesperson concluded the statement by noting that the meeting also reaffirmed the shared Egyptian-Saudi positions regarding support for the sovereignty and stability of all Arab states, with President Sisi and Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreeing to continue consultations and direct coordination in the coming period on various bilateral issues and regional developments.
